7 replies to this topic

[kittenicole1313]

I was just wondering if anyone knew what the starting out pay for a nurse was in general and in KY? I am a college student and I am trying to decide between nursing and education; I want to do both, but I can't decide which. So, I was wondering the pay and then also if the job is rewarding? What do you like most about your job and what do you dislike? If you could go back and change your major would you? If someone is not good at biology would they be bad at nursing? See, I took a CNA class and I was good at the book work, but my bedside manner sucked; any advice? I know there are alot of questions here, but I really need some feedback here.

[NawlinsGirl]

HI KITTENCOLE,

IM NOT SURE WHAT THE PAY SCALE IS FOR NURSES IN KENTUCKY BUT I MUST SAY THE NURSING PROFESSION IS A GOOD SOURCE FOR INCOME. I WOULD HOPE IF ANYONE IS CONSIDERING THE NURSING PROFESSION THEY ARE NOT JUST DOING SO FOR THE MONEY ASPECT OF IT. I HAVE WITNESSED A FEW NURSES IN MY CAREER THAT IS ONLY IT IN FOR THE MONEY. THIS TRULY BOTHERS ME BECAUSE I DEFINITELY DONT WANT THESE PEOPLE TAKING CARE OF MY LOVED ONES. SO, I WOULD HOPE IF ANYONE CHOOSES THE NURSING PROFESSION ITS TRULY BECAUSE THEY WANT TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE.

I PERSONALLY LOVE MY JOB AND I WOULDNT CHANGE A THING. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO INTO MANAGEMENT MANY TIMES BUT I CONTINUE TO CHOOSE TO STAY AT THE BEDSIDE SIMPLY BECAUSE I LOVE TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE. IN RESPONSE TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT WHATS BEST FOR YOU , I THINK ONLY YOU CAN ANSWER THAT. YOU SAID YOUR " BEDSIDE MANNER SUCKED " SO MAYBE A MANAGEMENT POSITION WOULD BE BEST FOR YOU. THE GREAT THING ABOUT NURSING IS THAT THERE ARE SO MANY AVENUES ONE CAN TAKE. AGAIN, ONLY YOU CAN DECIDE THAT.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR DECISION AND IF YOU DO DECIDE NURSING IS RIGHT FOR YOU WELCOME TO THE PROFESSION.

NAWLINSGIRL

[kittenicole1313]

Thank you Nawlins I am not wanting to do it just for the money though. I want to be able to help people and to take care of them. I am a very caring person and I just want to be able to make a difference. I am just having difficulty because both professions have a few things that I am not good at, but I think I am going to try nursing and hope for the best. I am just scared!! Which I hope is normal; I mainly scared of the human anatomy classes I am going to have to take,its intimidating But anyway, Like I said; thanks for the feedback.

[NawlinsGirl]

HI KITTEN,

IM VERY SORRY IF YOU THINK I IMPLIED THAT YOU WERE JUST DOING IT FOR THE MONEY.. THATS NOT THE CASE. IM JUST RELAYING WHAT IVE EXPERIENCED FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST IN IT FOR THE MONEY.. TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST, I FELT THE SAME SCARED FEELINGS AS YOU DO BUT IT GETS BETTER. WHEN AND IF YOU DECIDE TO GO TO NURSING SCHOOL, IF YOU NEED ANY ASSISTANCE PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK.. I WILL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE IF I CAN. AGAIN, THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR STORY WITH US.

NAWLINSGIRL

[sydney1]

I to am a nursing student. I decided to go into the profession not because of money but because I love being around other people and like to take care of others. When I first started taking courses for nursing, I was really scared and I doubted if I should stick with it. But everything worked out for the best, I got through all my course and am now in my first nursing class.

But since the first day of class the teachers keep telling us that bed side manners do count in this profession. So if you decide to go into nursing you might what to change somethings around.

I wish you the best in what ever you choose, and don't be scared of the anatomy class (just try to relate it to everyday life) and you will be fine.

P.S.
Try and look at (www.salary.com) and fill in information about the occupation and state and it gives you a base line on starting salary.

[ladybugj]

hi, kitten, i hope you give nursing a try, it is very rewarding in many aspects. anatomy was my most difficult course in college, it took me a few trys with different professors, but once i got it, i felt i could conquor the world. the funny thing is i took physiology after anatomy and i felt i understood anatomy so much better because i could piece together what does what, where and why, not just memorize the parts individually. if you would like to try teaching as well, maybe do a clinical rotation as a school nurse-teacher. you'd have to get thru nursing first, but it is yet another avenue to consider. good luck and don't hesitate to post more questions, concerns, updates!

[aussie-margaret]

nursing is good as there is always a job anywhere in the world.

I like Biology and have a Degree in it and would love to do teaching in biology or anatomy and get out of nursing. Teaching has good hours, no night duty and weekends off.

don't know about the pay in your country.

Don't like the bedside - think about somewhere else - for example - operating theatre - patients are under anaesthetic - I liked it as a student. I like accident and emergency as you treat them and then they go, so you are not stuck looking after them forever.

A girl I trained with has a job at the hospital we trained at - a nice day job interviewing people and going through applications. No patient contact, no hard work !!

[mattsmom]

I was just wondering if anyone knew what the starting out pay for a nurse was in general and in KY? I am a college student and I am trying to decide between nursing and education; I want to do both, but I can't decide which. So, I was wondering the pay and then also if the job is rewarding? What do you like most about your job and what do you dislike? If you could go back and change your major would you? If someone is not good at biology would they be bad at nursing? See, I took a CNA class and I was good at the book work, but my bedside manner sucked; any advice? I know there are alot of questions here, but I really need some feedback here.

I'm not sure what you mean about your bedside manner...were you not comfortable talking to the patients? if so, this will come in school. You will be learning 'therapeutic communication techniques', and as you grow in knowledge, the conversations involve teaching which makes it easier.

Nursing as a career has many more options; but a new grad generally need a few years of 'basic training' ie medsurg nursing, before specializing/branching off; although some areas are so short of nurses they WILL take new grads into specialized areas.

Teaching and nursing have similarities in that both involve education. Teaching has great hours: M-F 8-5, summers and holidays off!! Nurses work 24-7, shifts, weekends and holidays...and is more physical and 'hands on'. My sister was a teacher and found it very stressful; but she was working in a hard area with lots of problems. she moved into government work and her teaching degree was a springboard for her. Good luck whatever you decide to do! .